But without Winston — the 11th-ranked Spartans' leading scorer — a lineup featuring Loyer, Thomas Kithier, Kyle Ahrens, Matt McQuaid and Kenny Goins was instrumental in a four-minute, 10-point swing to pull away late in MSU's 62-44 win at the Breslin Center.

"The lineup we put in there — It was a different lineup, and that's kind of what you need," head coach Tom Izzo said. "Cassius was so tired; he never asks to come out. ... He had to work on both ends today and they put some pressure on him."

Ahrens, Goins, McQuaid and Kithier each chipped in for the 10-0 run that turned a 42-all game into a 52-42 advantage that put the game away for good. In that same stretch, the Buckeyes turned the ball over three times, and were held to 13 points for the half.

Winston shot an uncharacteristic 3-of-15 from the floor but ended with 13 points, one less than McQuaid, who scored a game-high for the first time this season. McQuaid hit two big 3-pointers and set up other key scoring plays late in the second half to help the Spartans to their third-straight win.

"I just felt like everyone did a good job doing their job," McQuaid said. "Especially on the defensive end when we’re not scoring but they’re not scoring it’s even. And then when they’re not scoring and we’re scoring that’s where we can separate."

Kithier played 10 minutes, all of which came in the absence of starter Nick Ward – who exited at the 17:34 mark after suffering a "hairline fracture" in his left hand late in the first half. 

"He'll sleep well tonight," Izzo said of Kithier. "His 10 minutes will be like an hour of work."

Sunday marks the second time in the last three games the freshman received significant playing time. Kithier also played a career-high 18 minutes against Minnesota on Feb. 9, where he went 4-of-5 from the floor.

And without an established timetable for Ward's return, Kithier is ready to step up if needed.

"It definitely gives you more confidence," Kithier said. "I’m always gonna be ready, heaven forbid no one else gets hurt. Hopefully, Nick comes back (but) I’m always going to be ready when they need me to go in."